EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Given how close they were to the market, they did not have too much time to discuss the topic before they were closing in on the market's northern entrance. Fortunately, they were not in so much of a rush that they needed to get the children back to Blackreach immediately, so they could concentrate on their investigation for the moment.

While there was more than one fish stand in the market, there was only a single stand near the northern part of the market which was being run by a Redguard woman with dark hair. She was obviously the person they had been instructed to speak to, and like before, Meesei wanted to avoid crowding her too much, so she instructed the rest of the pack to wait nearby while she, Sabine, and Fendros approached her. The group waited patiently nearby while the woman, Matami, finished a sale with a customer, then approached together.

"Welcome, I have the freshest fish in Sentinel, right here. Can I interest you in a choice sablefish fillet? You will not find any better in the city." Matami greeted as they stepped up to her stall.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha held a serious expression, though it was clear from the look she gave Fendros that she did not disagree with him. "Yeah, the thought crossed my mind. I think it's a bit, uh...pessimistic to think that he already knows we're in Sentinel, since we've only been here a few hours. But still, the situation is getting serious. I know we want to give the children experience, make sure they have the skills they will need when they grow up, but Do'rhajul is way too dangerous to let them anywhere near him. I know they won't like it, but it might be best to have Rhazii look after Julan and Leaps back home for a while. Well, I'm not sure about Leaps. He might be pretty useful if we have to go up against this team the General has formed. It's just...well I don't want him to get hurt either. Leaps is kind of a big target. I wonder if we can throw together some armor for him..."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Sure." Ahnasha answered simply as the group started to stand from the table. Not all of them had finished their drinks, though Lorag was certainly sure to quickly down the rest of his before they began to head out of the tavern.

The city streets were, of course, not a private place to hold a conversation, but the general bustle and noise of the crowd made listening in on any particular person difficult, especially if they were moving. Meesei started to lead the way back towards the market, while Ahnasha ended up trailing behind near the back of the pack with Fendros.

Since she was not precisely sure what Fendros wanted to talk about, Ahnasha kept her voice softer than she perhaps needed to. "What exactly is it that's bothering you? Did that Nord say anything alarming?" She asked.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The barman gave a single nod. "Aye. Not much more than any thick-headed young warrior, but more than usual. Too confident in himself, and that axe. He bought a new set of armor with his last bounty, and now wants to go out and get a house with his next one. I know he was going after a specific bounty being given by someone outside the city, but I don't know exactly where. Just talk to Matami. Short, dark hair, probably smells like fish. Look for her stand in the north of the market; you can't miss her. Now, I don't really have anything else to tell you, so do you want any drinks, or are you done?"

"That is all we need, thank you." Meesei answered before turning away from the bar, then walking back to the table to fill everyone else in on what they had learned. "We have something. Matami owns a fish stand in the marke, so we can head there right away instead of waiting here. Just keep a sharp eye around you when we are in the market. We need to avoid any more altercations; I am already worried that rumors of what happened in the market might reach the General's ears."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The drive will be sort of long for me. The closest point of totality to me is going to be in Tennessee, but it will be worth it.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Say, are you going to be in the US by the 21st of August? If so, you might be able to catch the total solar eclipse that's going to cut across the country.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"We have the means to store and study the relic safely; your friend does not. And we have been granted a budget with which to purchase the weapon, so it will not be as if your friend will not be compensated." Meesei added.

The look of suspicion did not fade from the Nord's face, but he did eventually relax his shoulders and let out a sigh. "Look...even if I did believe you, I don't know where Cyrus ended up going. Ever since he got that axe, the fool has constantly been going off for the next adventure. More and more dangerous each time, too. I don't know about any curse, but if you can get him to just slow down for a while..."

"You'll have to talk to his friends." The Nord continued. "Or drinking buddies. Whatever he considers them. I think...Matami owns a fish stall in the market. Near the north entrance. She might know. Just don't tell her I sent you. Unless you buy something."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"The Synod..." The barman said, his tone making it more of a statement than a question. He paused, but his demeanor did not reveal much about his thoughts, aside from some suspicion. "I know the man, but it wouldn't be right for me to start talkin' about one of my patrons behind his back to a bunch of strangers. Not without a really good reason. And I can't really think of what some scholars would want with a simple adventurer."

Meesei answered directly, or at least seemed to do so. "We have learned that Cyrus has obtained a cursed axe. It is a relic, unique, but dangerous in untrained hands. We wish to acquire it for safekeeping, and for our own study. We mean your friend no harm."

The Nord was mostly steadfast in his expression, though Meesei's warning about the axe being "cursed" did give him some pause. "I've heard a lot of crazy stories from customers over the years. Some drunk, some thieves and con artists. I can't just go trusting every stranger I meet."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"It should not be too difficult, as long as we are consistent in what we say." Meesei added. "We do not need to give too many specifics. The Synod are cagey enough with outsiders that they will likely not expect details from us. We are after a cursed axe and are looking to negotiate a deal to purchase it. Everyone we ask about will be for that ultimate goal."

Lorag gave a single nod. "Me and Kaleeth can be the bodyguards. Might be easier to sell it later if we get on our armor. Janius could make a good battlemage, or somethin'."

"Indeed, though it is not likely necessary for now. And we should likely avoid crowding the bartender with too many of us at once. Sabine, Fendros, join me and we will question him." Meesei decided.

Ahnasha chuckled, patting Sabine's shoulder before she stood up. "Don't worry. If you're acting like a Synod mage, just act like you're hiding your incompetence behind your Imperial authority, and you'll be fine."

The trio stood from the table and started walking up towards the bar. Most of the tavern paid them no attention, but the barkeeper easily recognized when others were looking for him, specifically. He was a close-to-elderly Nord man, mostly bald with a greying beard. He gave a nod of acknowledgement to the group as they approached him. "Everything alright with your drinks?"

"Yes, your drinks are quite fine." Meesei answered. "We were just hoping to ask you some questions."

The Nord leaned forward onto his bar in silence for a few seconds, sizing up each of the members of the group. After a notable delay, he finally responded tersely. "Alright."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Azayn pulled a parchment out of his bag and slid it onto the center of the table. "I have a sketch of our target, based on his description. I also have the names of some of his known associates: Paran al-tarn, Matami, and Trevius. Two Redguards and an Imperial, respectively. They are known to frequent this place, and I have a description of each of them written here. You could ask the bartender about them, though you may wish to simply wait for them if you wish to avoid drawing as much attention as possible. Unfortunately, I do not have much beyond that. I will leave the rest of my notes with you."

"Thank you, your help is appreciated." Meesei responded. "You may continue your own work as you see fit, though I would ask that, if you hear anything more of the General, please inform us."

Azayn nodded. "Of course, Champion. Good luck on your search."

Shortly afterwards, Azayn left on his way, leaving the pack to decide on their path from there. They had a few people they could talk to, who hopefully would come to them if they were patient. Although, in this situation, too much patience could be dangerous. "So, I suppose we can wait here for a while and see if any of those people come in. Otherwise, we can talk to the bartender. If we have to ask around, I would say we should present ourselves as members of the Synod and accompanying bodyguards. The Empire is diverse enough for it to be believable, and the Synod are known for collecting relics."